Daily Bits and Bobs

Striker opens up on Arsenal move. All change for the Vikings…

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Takuma Asano has finally confirmed he’s an Arsenal player, but he wasn’t sure about making the move to London. Having said he often thought about playing abroad, leaving Japan was tough, until :

I had the offer from Arsenal. Of course, I was still not sure whether to go or not. I talked with my family and friends and felt good about the decision after talking with them.

I’m ecstatic about everything! With the Olympics and also for Arsenal—I’m still not sure if I’ll actually play for Arsenal right away in the coming season, but definitely I’ll try my best.

His signing is not going to excite everyone, of that we can be sure but hey, at least he scored yesterday for Japan at the Olympics. I don’t even know if Arsene Wenger plans to keep him this season or send him out on loan but if he stays put, let’s give him a chance before judging him. In any case, Wenger has said he wants some experience up front so there’s time for him and the club to their money where their mouth is.

Serge Gnabry got on the score-sheet too as Germany held the reigning Olympic champions to a 2-2 draw. The more game time both players get, the better for them and for Arsenal as it’s going to be a long and tough season ahead. The third of a trio of Arsenal players in Rio is João Virgínia, a highly rated young goalkeeper who represents Portugal.

This weekend sees the last of our pre-season friendlies take place and the squad looks a little different to the one which travelled to America. In comes Gabriel, Ramsey and Alexis, out goes Wilshere through injury, the latter no doubt will often be repeated throughout the season.

Scandinavia Squad

The first match takes place this evening against a Viking side in Norway and as much as Gabriel struggled last season, it’ll be a good chance for him to get some playing time before Liverpool arrive at The Emirates a week on Sunday. Actually, I hope by then Arsene Wenger has fulfilled his promise of another central defender arriving because we certainly need some experience back there, just as we do up front but time is running out.

Three facts about the Viking FK from Arsenal.com:

  • Viking have won the Norwegian league title on eight occasions, most recently in 1991.
  • The Norwegian side play at the Viking Stadion in Stavanger, which can play host to 16,300 spectators.
  • Viking finished 5th in the Norwegian top flight last season, missing out on Europa League qualification by just two points.
  • Their star man: Andre Danielsen

To think the media ridicule The Arsenal for not having won the league for twelve years, poor old Vikings haven’t won theirs for 25 years and this season they aren’t even in Europe! 😉

Anyway, the match is being shown on ITV4 here in the UK, so enjoy. Or suffer…….

Transfer gossip:

Arsenal are keen on Signing Valencia defender Mustafi but have no interest in either Julian Draxler or Riyad Mahrez. That’ according to BBC journalist David Ornstein, who says the Gunners are yet to bid for Mustafi and may face competition from Chelsea when they do. The man who likes to think he knows everything about football, twitted that yesterday evening.

Arsenal have accepted an offer from Galatasaray for defender Mathieu Debuchy, who is thinking over a loan move to Turkey. (Daily Star) Good, and I hope they pay every single penny of his wages!

Arsene Wenger has told Chuba Akpom to put his case for a start in Arsenal’s opener against Liverpool – the youngster is not being loaned out for now. (The Express)

According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, Arsenal are one of several teams competing to get 29 year old PSG midfielder Blaise Matuidi.

Meanwhile, Alexandre Lacazette remains at Lyon and Shkodran Mustafi is still a Valencia player..

Happy days eh……

rico

72 thoughts on “Striker opens up on Arsenal move. All change for the Vikings…”

  2. Wavy says:

    Morning all.
    Jack Wilshere injured again? A knee injury? Out till Christmas, is my estimation! He is the ghost of Diaby!!
    Still, his injury opens up other options for our myriad of midfielders, who are all hopeful of a starting role.

    New players in? We’ll see.

  7. rico says:

    Thanks Kev, wouldn’t surprise me at all to see Chelsea get him, but hopefully, he wants an Arsenal move where he can get a game every week…

  13. frednerk says:

    Afternoon All
    Watched the germany/mexico game
    Gnabry had a very good second half
    looked the main man..reminded me
    of a young John Barnes.

  14. frednerk says:

    A Bloke walks into a bric-a-brac shop and sees an ornamental brass rat, the sort of thing women of a certain age love to put on the mantlepiece. He thinks “that’ll be perfect for his Mother’s birthday”, so he asks the shopkeeper how much it is.

    “£25 for the rat, £100 for the story”, replies the man.

    “Forget the story” says the bloke, and so buys the rat for 25 quid. He walks off down the road, but has not gone 30 yards when a rat comes up from the gutter and starts to follow him. Soon more arrive, and in a few minutes the whole street is a sea of rats, all following the bloke, who keeps walking until he comes to a cliff. He throws the brass rat over, and millions of rats follow, one after each other, plunging to certain death. The bloke them runs back to shop…..

    “Aaaah”, says the shop keeper, “you’ll be back for the story”

    “Screw the story – do you have a brass Tottenham fan?”

  26. Rick says:

    Evening Rico and the House
    Gabby and Santi start but Granit Ramsey Alexis and Chambers not in the Squad. Saved for Man C ??

  34. Bob John says:

    The Ox staying fit a playing to his potential would be better than any new signing. Not expecting it though! Gnabry was on fire last night. Again would be great if he showed his true potential

  38. rico says:

    I am Fred…

    Agree Bob, a few others too. If this squad could stay injury free all season, it would be a huge bonus, and a miracle….

  41. Le Coq Monster says:

    Lets hope that we dont get any penalties this season and score goals instead as we are running out of penalty takers !……….Ozil, Xhaka and now Santi !

    Wtf was Ospina playing at ?……….that would have been one comical goal kicking at the Viking player !….what was the rush for ?

    I thin we all should think like Wenger !……………if you cant beat him …..join him !……………………we dont need another CF, we have the winger Walcott, Campbell, Akpom and Giroud when he comes back, plenty of talent and of course, more lubbly jubbly in the bank, thats what it`s about isn`t it !………………..who has the best bank balance !………………….well it is if you`re a business or a company and that`s basically what we are !
    Trouble with you lot is that you are Arsenal football supporters…………….you`re in the wrong business !
    Start thinking like it`s pay day and you see your wage slip and get excited or like when Kev fleeces a tourist !. hahaha

  50. Hell Raising Devil says:

    What was strange was seeing players lining up for shots from outside the penalty area. Akponm scored a real poacher’s goal after Bellerin had shot from a full 25 yards out. The keeper saved but did not hold the ball and Akpom poached a good goal.

  52. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good game for pre season. A clean sheet. Different players getting on the score sheet.

    Campbell and Ox made great play on the wings. And imo if they play well against shitty in the next friendly then AW can easily rest Alexis or play him up front. Campbell is easily MOTM for me. Cazorla was great today as well. Elneny has bulked up a bit as well and he was immense today.

    I liked the midfield of Coquelin, Elneny and Cazorla. AW is very lucky to have a strong midfield as tjhis season.

    Debuchy was solid as was Gibbs. Gabriel and Bielik looked ok.

    And I like listening to David Hillier commentating the game. He is still an Arsenal man.

    Good night Lovelies and Hunkies.

  54. Rick says:

    4 years ago at Underhill I watched a group of young players start their Arsenal careers by playing in the youth team.
    Since then I have followed them every step of the way. Some have fallen by the wayside for different reasons, and there are just 4 left.
    Last night I am told no1 Serge Gnabry had a very good game and tonight I watched the other 3 Bellerin Iwobi and Akpom playing well for the first team.

    As I write this I have the feeling that the 4 of them will make it big time for The Arsenal well done boys.

    Tomorrow another group of our youngsters are playing in the final of the Durban Cup where they are playing The South African National U 19 side
    There are some in our side who could follow in the footsteps of the 4 who have done so well in the last 24 hours and at last our academy is beginning to produce.

  55. Le Coq Monster says:

    Shit !!!………………………..Arsene will think we dont need a quality striker or central defender !……………an 8 nil loss would have been better !. hahaha

  56. Le Coq Monster says:

    Watched the whole game and a 10 out of 10 for entertainment…………..it`s all about goals !……………………….only beat Bindippers 1-0 and I`ll be pissed off ! 🙂

  58. Rick says:

    Wath I rate him very highly and I think he is a better prospect then Belick .
    I will say why I think so on another day.
    Good night for now.

  59. allezkev says:

    I know it was ‘only’ Viking and that they rested a lot of players in the 2nd 45, but to beat anyone 8-0 is still impressive…

    Coach I thought that Bielik had a really steady game and Cazorla was superb, even Walcott had a good 70 minutes, scored a good goal and set up Santi for his goal…

    All the youngsters impressed, but the real test is Sunday vs Man City.
    Then we shall see the nature of the task ahead one we’ve matched up to Guardiolas team of expensively assembled superstars, provided to them by millionaire super agents…

    Play up and play the game… ?

  60. allezkev says:

    Wath, I’ve heard that Sheaf is one of the most skilful youngsters that we have at the club.
    Not sure why he’s been used as a full-back, maybe that was because of an emergency or something to do with his football education ?

    Rick, do you have any idea ?

    I think that West Ham were quite pissed off when we poached Sheaf from them…

  61. frednerk says:

    Hi Kev
    Walnut played well sorry mate
    he gave max effort but not a
    position he wants to play
    International player sorry
    can’t agree
    This team are a 2nd Div team
    We all had high hopes for our
    english signings,
    but everyone of them has us down.

    I know Ben at west ham he was a box to box
    player.
    The Arsenal are trying to turn him to
    a all-rounder
    He is very strong boy
    is a better player than Issac
    at the moment no,
    So is he being set up to be sold
    I thimk so.

  62. frednerk says:

    Agree Santi was man of the match
    a great player.
    A player that knows the game
    without dought.

    As you know from my email to
    you about 2 years ago.
    I gave you an inside view on Bielk
    some time ago.
    You are judging a player against a
    pub team.
    This will be hardest season we have ever had
    anyone under 25 will struggle unless
    world class potintial.

  63. frednerk says:

    Hi Rick
    I have followed youth football for as long
    as I can remember
    Underhill was my thing.
    Question who’s the best player you
    have seen at underhill.
    Thanks

  65. allezkev says:

    Cheers Fred, good comments…

    I be been pretty constant in my view that despite all the rubbish on the blogs, that Wenger won’t do the business we’d like to see…
    Maybe one more biggish signing, but I ain’t even convinced by that…

    We ain’t winning the league this season, whatever the result vs Man City…
    CL, yeah right….
    Maybe a cup run or two…

    Nope this season is gonna all be about the Youth, seeing some of those good young players being integrated into the squad…

    I actually think that overal, we have a decent squad, but there are some glaring holes and they will be exposed during this coming season…

    I see no point in getting myself all worked up over things as that isn’t gonna change anything. Let the season take its course, enjoy the good games, don’t get too wound-up by the bad games and enjoy the youngsters coming through, as I always do…

    Fred, I will email you again soonish… ?

  66. rico says:

    Morning Kev and all..

    You know what Kev, I’m starting to believe you will turn out to be right about this season and the youth players coming through…

  67. frednerk says:

    Morning All
    Kev you are probably right on the club,s
    thoughts for this season.
    Going back over the years who can
    forget the three irish boy’s then we had
    the three degrees,great times those six
    could fight.
    I want to see that from the new lads coming in
    then maybe I would shut up.
    I am happy for Issac but I wanted him to
    stay..he can fight.
    I said on here when he was sold that
    wenger valued him at 5million
    and Holding who I like at 2million
    Not sure what to make of that yet.

  68. potter says:

    We have all complained about kids not getting the step up so here we go . Despite it being better to do it gradually , it looks like all the buses are all turning up at once. Still it worked for Busby and United again when their group of 92 came through and the Rocastle , Davis , Thomas ,Merson and Adams clique did quite well for us

  69. potter says:

    Dwile Flonking this afternoon ! So incoherence this evening, anyway it’s good luck to The Dog at Ludham Bridge recently renamed as the previous name was not so salubrious.

  72. potter says:

    Google it , it’s an old drinking competition played out between pubs from all over the country. We think the roots are in the midlands and East Anglia , anyway today we are playing a team from Leicester so we are not letting them Lord this one over us as well. Bet they all wear blue T Shirts. If I can work out how to upload a video I will try when I get my brains back . ( Some say that they left some time ago ).

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